Not Me, Not Mine

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. - Philippians 3:12.

I was reading through Philippians chapter 3 before bed last night and was struck by the phrase "because Christ Jesus has made me His own" in verse 12. Eight little words, yet they grabbed my attention and drew me back like a magnet. Paul wrote that brief line as his reason for "pressing on" to attain Christ-likeness and righteousness through the death of his inner sinful self. Speaking for myself (and perhaps a few other people will agree with me), I can come up with a number of reasons that I am trying to become more like Jesus. I want to be kind and compassionate towards others. I want to live a life that leaves a positive legacy. I desire to be an example to other believers in my speech, conduct, faith, love, and purity. Stop right there. Yes, those are good and Biblical things to desire for your life, but the one commonality that they share and that bothers me is that they all revolve around me, myself, and I. 

What is the purpose of life? The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever." Notice what that statement is not focused on - man. Man's purpose is God. It's not about us. We aren't here for ourselves. Life is not meant for us to become good or better or best. Our brief life on this earth is all about God, His purposes, His kingdom, and ultimately His glory. Bringing it back around to the reasons that Christians should want to be more like Christ, I believe that our focus should be on becoming like Jesus because God commanded us to do so, because God receives glory from that, because God sent His one and only son to die for us. Forget about becoming like Christ more so that people will like you more. I have meaning and purpose "because Christ Jesus has made me His own." And that should be the motivation for everything I do in my life. 

I am not my own. My life been bought with the highest price to ever be paid. Therefore, I am called to glorify God. Kindness, compassion, and a legacy can and do bring glory to God. My point, though, is that we (or at least I do) tend to focus too much on the intermediate goals of self-improvement and not enough on the ultimate goal of honoring God because He is worthy.

The fruits of the spirit are not meant to make us better people. Giving, sharing, and helping are not done to make us better philanthropists. It isn't about us at all. It is all about Jesus!

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.